Posted on 03/13/2017 4:45:16 PM PDT by SJackson
A reader visits a notorious site in Glacier National Park—and comes back with a story of his own.
Why did I get so infatuated with Trout Lake? First, some history: Back in 1967, on a single night, Glacier National Park had two fatal grizzly attacks. They were the first ones ever in the park. One of them was at Trout Lake.
Forty-three years later I was working at the park’s dispatch office and I found the original incident report. I’ll confess my brain doesn’t work like other people’s—I was soon convinced I needed to visit the place so I could see my first grizzly.
My first attempt was in early June and I got maybe 2.5 miles—halfway to the lake. I came to the top of Howe Ridge and it was just white—no trees, no nothing. I was alone. I turned around.
The second time, there was no snow on the ridge, but every 100 feet or so, there was a fresh pile of bear scat. Soon, I reached a slide path: Where the trail should have been was anyone’s guess because there was just debris. That was the end of trip number two.
I was frustrated but not defeated. For the third try, I went in the height of summer, intending to hike past Trout Lake to explore the waterfall-rich drainage behind it.
But really, I was hoping to see a grizzly. I was on my own, so I was being very cautious about the bear spray. Somebody I worked with told me that to really be prepared, I should make sure the safety was off. Otherwise, by the time I saw the bear, it’d be too late.
I got to the ridge where I’d lost the trail, no problem. I got to the place where the avy had been, no problem. I kept going and finally reached the lake. I was feeling good and decided to take pictures.
I had my tripod with me and I set it up near a creek to do a nice long exposure of one of the waterfalls. When I went to pack up, I heard hissing. What the hell? I thought. Is that a snake? I saw this cloud of orange coming at me and my eyes went wide with surprise. The bear spray I’d accidentally fired wafted in from point-blank range. I instantly started gasping and wheezing. I doubled over, my eyes burning and filling with water. It was like chopping the hottest pepper imaginable and rubbing it in your face. I crawled over to the creek and dunked my head as though it were on fire, which it was.
I stumbled down the trail, blind and breathless, stopping to soak my face in every creek I could see with my swollen eyes. It took me four hours to get back to my car, gasping and coughing.
So yes, I made it to Trout Lake that day, and even got to enjoy it for a minute before I blinded myself. I’ve hiked to many other lakes in Glacier since then, but that was the last time I went to Trout Lake. I think maybe I’m not supposed to be back there. Never did see a grizzly.
At least it wasn't a firearm.
I must be an unreconstructed Neanderthal. I have never gotten past a government 1911 as my bear spray.
That has to be fun for a bear. They say if a leaf falls in the forest, the deer hears it, the eagle sees it, and the bear smalls it.
That has to be fun for a bear. They say if a leaf falls in the forest, the deer hears it, the eagle sees it, and the bear smells it.
It’s a gateway drug. You start with a little bear spray, and pretty soon you’re moving on to the hard stuff ...
Some good advice when in bear country is to wear little bells on your clothing and carry some pepper spray. When a bear hears the bells, he will leave the area; if he stays, the pepper spray will drive him away.
However, it is important to know whether the bears are black bears or brown bears. The best way to tell the difference between black bears and brown bears is to examine their scat.
Black bear droppings will contain squirrel fur, berries, and smell of fish.
Brown bear droppings will contain little bells and smell of pepper spray.
Around 1980 I worked for civil service and we had dog repellent spray. It was only one tenth of one percent pepper but the only time I used it on a dog it worked perfectly.
Once while driving I accidentally sprayed a tiny amount on my windshield.
I took out my handkerchief and wiped it off.
Several minutes later I had to blow my nose and did so into the handkerchief. About a minute later I noticed my nose was swelling shut and my eyes burned.
If that tiny amount did that, I think the modern 10 percent must be amazing. Never been sprayed tho.
If this guy can tell this story; then I can confess as well. Last fall I got my eye too close to the scope.
Some people shouldn’t be allowed out and about by themselves. The author seems to be one of them.
I am a suspenders and belt kind of guy.
If I were roaming the woods in bear territory I think I would carry a Ruger Super Blackhawk loaded with a heavy load of hard cast 240 grain semi wadcutters along with a can of pepper spray.
The Ruger is fairly light but packs a pretty heavy punch. In some situations the spray might actually be better.
Bear Spray?
Buahahahahhahahahaha!
An angry grizzly would inhale the spray like perfume, eat the can with your hand on it and rip off your arm.
The second swipe would gut you from stem to stern post.
You want to hike in grizzly country?
Do not be an idiot.
Learn to handle a large caliber firearm, either a rifle or a hand gun.
If you choose to carry a hand gun make sure its nothing less than .44 magnum, and learn to hit a 24 inch square at 100 yards consistently. Most people I know carry a Ruger .44 magnum Super Blackhawk, simple,safe and easy to operate.Carry it in an over the shoulder leather holster looped diagonally to your belt front and rear. Make sure its unobstructed so you can draw it in under 5 seconds.
Carry an axe.
And if you do not think we know what we are talking about talk to Freeper Kanawa:
“Man (Freeper kanawa) stabs bear to death”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1670661/posts
( Nice to see you Tom! You living in N.B.?)
Ya, the reason you didn't see a grizzly is because the poor chap was beyond the tree line, doubled over in laughter.
The Bears are waking up shorty up here. They will be all crusing around the place here soon. .44 mag. minimum when outside, plus speed loaders.....ALWAYS. Especially now as they are hungry beyond belief after their ‘winter snooze’. My old butt has gotta look easier to Boo-Boo to munch then going all the way down to the river/lake for the fishies!
Why the Super Black Hawk?
Always preferred the Super Red Hawk.
Both are 44 Mag.
That'll leave a mark.
If you don’t mind carrying it, the Super Redhawk would be great. I have always liked the Super Blackhawk tho the S&W model 29 might actually be a better choice.
please add me...thx
Even when firearms were not allowed in National Parks, in Alaska, if you were hiking in bear country, the rangers expected you to carry a suitable firearm. .44 magnum was the preferred minimum, with special bear loads.
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